WeChat has built a mini-program into its social messaging application dedicated to refuting “rumours”, including postings on topics such as the disappearance of Malaysia Airline Flight 370 in 2014 and “cures” for cancer. This is part of an overall effort to “safeguard cybersecurity”, according to a report released on Friday by an institute run by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. By the end of 2017, the program had quashed “rumours” promulgated by more than 19.7 million users.